Vykings Unite in Zagreb 🎄

From December 3rd to 5th, 34 Vykings from across Europe gathered in Zagreb, Croatia for our annual Christmas event, three days filled with training, culture, connection and well-earned celebration. It was the perfect finale to a fast-moving, ambitious year for the entire Vyking team.

Day 1 — Training, Reunions and a Proper Vyking Welcome

Afternoon 

The trip began with a dedicated training day for 11 members of our Back-End and BI teams, who arrived early to focus on strengthening some of the technical foundations that power Vyking’s platform. It was a valuable opportunity to step away from day-to-day work and focus on the core skills that will power the next stage of our growth.

The sessions covered observability and performance diagnostics, exploring how we monitor system behaviour, identify issues early and maintain reliability as we scale. The team then shifted to data design and query optimization, aligning on how to design models that fit specific use cases, prepare data in a way that supports future product development, and ensure performance without compromising the depth of signals needed for machine learning driven processes.

The day wrapped with a collaborative JavaScript lab, giving the team space to explore new ideas, compare approaches and refine existing procedures together. It was energetic, hands-on and a clear example of the creativity and technical drive that runs through Vyking’s engineering teams.

Throughout the afternoon, the rest of the company arrived in Zagreb, checking into Hotel Zonar and reconnecting with colleagues. The lobby quickly turned into a place of handshakes, hugs, jokes and some long-overdue catch-ups.

Evening

In the evening, the full group gathered at Beerhouse Budweiser for our first night together in Zagreb. What began as a relaxed Christmas welcome dinner soon turned into a proper Vyking-style celebration.

We feasted on a Croatian banquet and were treated to local and Balkan songs that set the tone for the night. The singing started at the tables, but it did not stay there for long. Filip, Vyking’s Project Manager, stepped up with full voice, while Petar mounted chairs and tables to sing at full volume, leading the room in some very lively performances. 🍻🕺🎶

Laughter, clapping and chorus lines spread from table to table as more Vykings joined in. It was loud, joyful and completely authentic, the kind of evening where colleagues feel more like friends.

It was a real get-together that rolled well into the early hours of the morning, with food, music, stories and plenty of banter. A night to remember, and a very Vyking way to start the trip.

Day 2 — Zagreb by Day, Vyking Celebration by Night

Afternoon 

We spent the afternoon exploring the old historic town and wandering through some of the city’s well-known sights, taking in the atmosphere of Zagreb’s charming streets and squares. The Christmas market was a highlight — stalls, lights and live music filled the centre with festive cheer. Hot mulled wine helped everyone warm up, and even the rain could not dampen the team’s spirit.

Small groups broke off throughout the afternoon to continue discovering the city in their own way, whether by strolling side streets, stopping for coffee or simply enjoying the slower pace of exploring together.

Evening

In the evening, we gathered for our Christmas Dinner at Restaurant Bubbles inside Hotel Zonar.

The setting was intimate and warm, the food was excellent and the atmosphere was relaxed but full of energy. Franz and Klaus reflected on Vyking’s rapid growth over the last few years, welcomed new starters and shared heartfelt thanks for the team’s incredible effort across 2025. It was a moment to pause, recognise how far the company has come and appreciate the people who made it happen.

Christmas gifts were handed out, adding a festive touch to the evening, and a few friendly arm-wrestles appeared at the tables to settle some old scores in good humour. The mix of heartfelt messages, shared stories, jokes and friendly competition summed up the culture that has grown around Vyking.

A special night with a special team, and a brilliant reminder of the strength of this group and the kind of team spirit that will carry us into an even bigger year ahead in 2026.

Day 3 — Farewell for Now

The final morning was spent over breakfast at Hotel Zonar, swapping photos from the previous nights, sharing highlights and enjoying a few last laughs before departures began. One by one, Vykings headed home across Europe, carrying with them the momentum, connection and memories built over the last three days.

It was a quieter day, but an important one, closing out the trip with the sense of togetherness that had grown stronger with each shared experience.

Why This Trip Mattered

Our time in Zagreb was more than a Christmas event. It brought together everything that makes Vyking unique: a commitment to learning, a culture built on collaboration and a belief that strong teams create strong products.

From the deep-dive training sessions on Day 1 to the Christmas market wanderings on Day 2, from the first night of Balkan songs and table-top performances to the reflective Christmas dinner, the trip showed the power of bringing people together in person. In a year where so much was achieved across so many different parts of the business, Zagreb gave us space to celebrate, reconnect and look ahead.

Here’s to our Zagreb gathering, to the memories made and to the exciting year ahead.

Merry Christmas, Vykings. 🎄